The comparative amount of good and evil may be thus represented. The wicked existing at the day of judgment, may be represented by any given number. The good, by another number. Such will be the state of the universe, that the amount of evil will be forever limited to the original number, the amount of good may be represented by a geometrical series, commencing with the original number, and proceeding forever. Let it not be supposed that I think that we have any numerical data, on which to found an exact calculation of this kind. I merely wish to illustrate a principle. This everlasting increase of good, results from the fact that God is the inexhaustible fountain of all good, and always inclined, and always able to dispense it. And the evil which remains, though it is an evil to the lost, is none to the universe, it results in good, and it is literally overcome by good, both as it regards moral power and amount.

We have already remarked that those who are redeemed from among men, will be a peculiar order of beings. They will resemble God in moral excellence and knowledge, more than any other order-they will be devoted to him as none others can be they will be united to him as none others can be, and they will be assistants to him in regulating the future progress of the holy universe. These peculiarities will all arise from the manner of their redemption. They will have by experience a knowledge of sin and holiness, such as God has by intuition; being forgiven much, they will love much; having been tried and found faithful in the great conflict, they will be able to sustain, without injury, the exceeding and eternal weight of glory, resulting from their relation to God, and their union with him. Being thus made kings and priests unto God, they will reign with him forever and ever. In entire union with him in plan and feeling, in entire and perfect obedience to him, and next to him in rank, they will fulfil the purposes of his benevolence, constantly receiving and constantly dispensing good. Being filled with all the fulness of God, they will discharge their high duties as kings

and priests, in ruling and instructing, during those ages to come in which God will never cease to manifest by them the exceeding riches of his grace.

When the moral system of the universe shall be perfected, the Bible teaches us that a corresponding change will take place in the material system. As in the moral universe good and evil are now mingled, and nothing is as yet perfected, so is it in the material system. But when the elements are separated in the moral world, every thing but one small collection of outcasts, will be perfect. They will be the dross of the universe. Every thing else will be pure gold, well refined.

Then also in the material system all imperfection will cease. It will be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of God. An adequate conception of the manner in which the new heavens and new earth will be organized, cannot be at present attained. But all imperfection will cease. The former things will pass away; all, all will be new. Sickness, sorrow, disease, death, pain, crying, tears, night, cold, labor, and fatigue, will cease. The body and soul will be alike perfect, and everlasting light, and love, and life, proceeding from God, their exhaustless fountain, will pervade the holy universe. Then moral and physical omnipotence can create without limits.

It is obvious from the preceding considerations,

1. That the Bible is an exposition of the system of the

universe.

2. In this system the human race occupies an important place.

3. The christian ministry is an order of men appointed by God to explain this system.

4. A correct understanding of this system is essential to the welfare of the human race.

From these views we derive the following consequences, 1. Every well educated man, nay every man, ought to

understand the system of government under which he lives. Is it important to understand the social, literary and political system, of the town and state in which we live, and of the political confederacy of which we are members? and is the system of the universe with which we are connected unworthy of attention? Shall we carefully investigate the political principles of earthly dynasties, and overlook those of the only perfect government?

2. An immediate effort should be made to remove infidelity from the public mind as it regards the Bible, or any part of it. What would be the consequences, were a great part of this nation in doubt as it regards the national constitution? Some asserting that it is all a fabrication, others rejecting important parts, and others diffusing principles tending to undermine it, whilst yet they professed to regard it as sacred? And is not the Bible the constitution of the universe? And is there no danger in treating it thus? Will not God be displeased? Will he not avenge the indignity? And are not such proceedings at war with the best interests of the nation and of the human race? Yet multitudes do this, and it awakes in the nation no disquietude, no alarm, no effort to remove the evil. These things ought not so to be.

3. Increased efforts should be made to sustain the institutions of the Bible-especially the church, the sabbath, and the christian ministry. To admit the divine authority of the Bible, as the constitution of the universe, and yet to neglect or despise its ordinances, is as if an attempt should be made to cast contempt on the ambassadors of this nation, or on our courts of law and justice. The ordinances and institutions connected with the Bible, are the means which God has devised to illustrate his moral government, and to insure a correct and public interpretation of his word. Thus he designs to instruct the human race, as it regards the eternal rewards provided for the penitent and obedient, his mode of pardon, and the means of reconciliation and reformation. The sab

bath, a day devoted to this purpose, is an emblem of the eternal rest in heaven; the Lord's supper illustrates and enforces the great principles of atonement and pardon; baptism illustrates the operations of the Holy Spirit, in regeneration and sanctification. These are things of more than national interest. They relate to the kingdom of that God, who is King of kings and Lord of lords. The correct interpretation of the Bible, should at once become a matter of intense national interest. The character, and qualifications, and principles of its interpreters, should be watched with jealous eye; for it is not the constitution of the United States which they interpret, but that of the universe. The interpretation thereof affects not our claims to house or land or worldly estate, but our title to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away-to an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. It is much to be a free citizen of these United States; but more to be a free citizen of the confederation of the holy universe, united under one Great Head, who is Lord of all power and might. Let the great principles of moral government be made the test of all systems of religion, and let false views of mental philosophy, and false interpretation, alike be exposed by the light of unerring truth; and let the nation feel that no expense is too great which is required to avoid endless ruin, and to ensure a happy eternity.

4. Let the political principles of the great enemy of the human race be fully exposed. He is no cloven footed monster, amusing himself with witches and apes, and assuming portentous forms to frighten credulous men. Gladly would he be so regarded, for it would divert the attention of men from his real designs. As we have seen, he is a crafty and malignant spirit. He operates by a perverted moral influence. He does not frighten men; he flatters or soothes them. He teaches men to believe that they act on the purest principles, when executing his worst designs. He transforms himself into an angel of light, and teaches his ministers to do the

same.

Like Bonaparte, he always amuses his army with words of patriotic and benevolent import, whilst accomplishing his own designs. Under fair names he cloaks base and pernicious principles; and would call obedience to God, and belief of his word, were he able to proceed so far as he often is, the greatest of crimes. Let us imitate the people of England, when Bonaparte was preparing to invade them. The press labored in exposing his measures and ambitious designs, and every means was used to excite the nation to decided and desperate resistance. Orators and preachers spoke, addresses and handbills were circulated, and telegraphs gave warning of impending danger. Could he at this time have formed a party in England in his behalf, strong and decided, what had been her fate? But has the human race no such enemy? Is revelation false, and experience delusive? The ruin of the human race is certain, unless they awake. Well may the friend of God exclaim, as he beholds impending ruin, “I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled. For the people is foolish, they are sottish children, they have none understanding."

5. The whole system of education and of social intercourse, and of business, and of professional study, and of government, should be organized in accordance with the principles of the system of the universe. Would it not be absurd for the inhabitants of this city to educate their children on principles diametrically opposed to those of the state or national government? And is it less absurd to infect all those departments of society which exert the greatest power upon the moral character of men in this world with principles at war with the system of the universe? What more could our most bitter enemy desire? and until this evil is removed the human race will still groan beneath his cruel bondage. He will not let them go to serve their God.